Tent



Feb. 7, 1928.

, 1,658,214 Q. A. THOMAS TENT Filed Aug. 24, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l 11 gwwntoc $1, a r U ,1,

Cltkowwq Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,214

Q. A. THOMAS TENT Filed Aug. 24, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,214

Q. A. THOMAS TENT Filed Aug. 24. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 dummy Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

QUInoY A. THOMAsoF nn'rRoI'r, MICHIGAN.

TENT.

Application filed August 24, 1925. Serial No. 51,980.

This invention relates to an improved tent construction and its object is to obviate thev frame work so arranged as to facilitate the proper staking of it to the ground and its erection, and when so erected, provides a very strong, rigid support which will firmly hold the fabric covering in proper position. A further object is to provide a construction wherein a substantially rectangular one-piece fabric covering forms the roof, walls and floor of the tent and is in such'form that it may be conveniently used as a cover for T automobiles and for other purposes, and pro vides a tent of maximum floor area, with a minimum of yardage.

It is also an object to provide a tent which is light in weight, simple in construction, and cheap to manufacture, and which has other advantages, all as hereinafter more fully set forth. I

With the above and other ends in View,

the invention consists in the matters herein after set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tent embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified construction;

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of a flexible supporting framework;

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the fabric covering of the tent shown in Figs. 1 and 2; r

Fig. 6 is a similar diagram of the fabric covering of the tent shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 8, illustrating the manner in which the tent is set up. I V

A. tent embodying the present invention consists of a flexible frame work or support and a fabric covering, said framework as shown in 'Figtfl comprising several connected runs of suitably flexible cable-like members of chain, rope, wire, or: a combination of fibre and metal so connected as to form, when properly anchored and drawn taut, a substantially rigid frame-work outlining the shape of the tent, and, when a fabric covering is placed thereover, serving to hold the covering in placc'and. givethe desired shape to the tent. This flexible frame or support is indicated as a whole by the letter A and the fabric covering which may be of canvas or any other suitable material is indicated as awhole by the letter B. V

The framework A forms the sole support for the covering B which may bepermanently or detachably attachedto the several runs 1, 2 2 and 3-3 of the chain in any suitable manner. of pyramidal form with the apex of the pyramid adjacent the forward end of the tent and it is this apex where the runs 1 and 33 converge and are secured together. The run 1 extends from the apex to the extreme rear end of the tent and forms a support for the ridge of thetent and the runs 3 extend'from the apex downwardl-yand outwardly to form a support and place of attachment for the forward edges of the side walls, which walls also form the roof. A suitable tension or attaching run'of chain a is also connected to theruns l and 3 at the apex, this run 4 and the runs 1 and 3 being.

preferably all connected together by a single ring 5 and the runs 2 and single run 1 are preferably connected by a single ring 6 with the forward end of each of the runs 2 connected to the lower end of a run 3 by a ring 7.

In erecting this supporting structure A, the attaching or supporting run 4: is first made fast to a suitable elevated place of attachment, such as a limb of a tree and the opposite or rear end of the run 1 is thenstaked to the ground with the run extending upwardly at theproper inclination from the stake 8 which may be driven into the ground through the ring 6. In a like manner, side stakes 9 are driven into the ground through the rings 7 with the runs 2 and 3 substantially taut, the runs 2 determining the length of the side walls of the tent and servedges thereof, and the runs 3 limiting the height of the apex of the tent from the ground and serving. to define the forward The tent when erected is mg as a place of attachment for the lower piece of fabric which en its and made fast thereto, this covering preferably comprising a substantially rectangular I gages the ridge run 1 of the support along the dotted line 10 in Figs. 5and 6 and is made fast at its rear end, adjacent, the stake S and its forward end, is secured adjacent the ring 5. The side edges of the covering are then made fast intermediate their ends, adjacent the stakes 7 and the rear corner portions 11 are passed over and inwardly beneath the bottom runs 2 with the end runs 3 engaging the fabricalong the dotted lines 12. The

triangular portions14l lying between the lines. 10, 12 and 13 (the line being the line of engagement with the runs 2) thus form the side walls and roof of the tent and the j-triangular forward corner portions 15, in the'construction shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7, lying beyond the lines 12, are passed over-the runs 3 and extend inwardly to'form the front end wall or flaps of the tent. In the construction shown in Figsl, 2 and 5, the triangular portions 16 lying forwardly of'tlie lines 12, form forward extensions of the side walls and together form an extension-of the forward end of the tent, triangularportions 17 being attached along the lines 18 to the portions 16 to form flaps for closing the doorway to this extension or thesp'ace between the forward sides of the extensions 16. in erecting this latter con- 'struction, the extensions 16 are swung inwardly and secured in proper position by means of stakes 19 driven into the ground and to which stakes the extensions are secured in any suitable'nranner adjacent the meeting angle 20 shown in Fi 5, of the lower edges of the portions 16 and 17 with the forward edges of the tent extension drawn taut along the line 18 and with the flap portions 17 free to fold along these lines so that they may be folded bacl: or

brought together to close the doorway leading into' the tent. The free edges of the flaps may be provided with any suitable fastening means as shown at 21 in Fig. '1 so "that these free edges may be detachably connected to hold the flaps in closed position.

Asishown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines, the rear corner portions 11 of thefabric which are folded inwardly beneath the bottom runs-2 and'form thefloor of the tent, may be drawn inwardly and pulled taut with their adjacent inner edges in overlapping relation. by means of cords 22 or the like attached to the inner corner of each floor flap or portion 11 and made fast to the stake 9 at the opposite side of the tent. In this construction a floor is provided by the flaps 11 for only the main part of the tent but in the construction shown. in if 8 and 6, these flaps fornr a floor for the entire tent, the flaps overlapping to the full width of the tent and providing a double floor.

In the constructions shown, the canvas covering is a single continuous member which may be cut from a single piece of fabric or may be made up of widths and pieces sewed permanently together prowith snitablemeans, if found desircured by the stakes 8 and 9 and then tensioning the several runs by forcing'the pole into a bracing position with its lower end-on the ground. Anysuitable means may also be employed for exerting a further pull upon therun 4.- after it has been attached to the over-head anchor and the other runs have been secured to the ground by the stakes S and 9.

In this construction the entire tent may bestoredin a very small space as the supporting frame work-is flexible and only three stakes are requireddue to the anchoring of the lower edges of the side walls of the tent by means of the bottom runs Further, as the entire covering-is a unit, it may be (.UHVSIUQIliZlY used for other pur-' poses, and is particularly adapted for use as an automobile cover due to its general rectangular fori a floor for the ent in such a manner as to make the sides of the tent tight, insuring against water or animals getting into the tent beneath these sides, and adequate ventilation maybe secured at anytime by lengthening the anchor stakes 9 or the attachment of the tent thereto, and raising the tent a short. distance 'from'the ground The cover also provides by adjusting the tension or pull onthe anchor run 4L. WVhen desirable, the floorfiaps 11 may be folded back and secured-about the runs 2 thus affording further air circus lation.

Theconstruction is such as to greatly. n

cilitate the erection of a tent and an unskilled person may set it up quickly and without danger of making a mistake, due to the construction of the supporting structure or framework.

The form of the tent also provides a maximum of floor space with a minimum of and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the constructions shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim is l. A tent including a framework formed of a plurality of flexible members forming runs converging upwardly and connected together at their upper ends and flexible members connecting the lower ends of said runs, and a unitary fabric covering supported by said framework and extended thereover with one of said runs extending transversely of the covering to form the tent ridge and with said covering extending downwardly from the ridge to form the side walls and with corner portions of said covering folded inwardly beneath said flexible connecting members at the lower edges of the side walls of the tent to form a floor for the tent.

2. A tent including a framework formed f a plurality of flexible members connected ogether at their upper ends to form sepa- -ate runs and anchored at their lower ends in divergent relation with said runs held under tension by a single connection to an elevated support, said framework also including flexible members connecting the lower ends of said runs, and a single flat fabric covering having substantially rectangular corner portions and extended over said frameworl'c with a run of said. framework extending transversely of said covering to form the tent ridge with portions of the covering extending downwardly at each side of the ridge to form the side walls of the tent and with said corner portions at the lower edges of said side walls extended in ward beneath said flexible connecting members to form a floor for the tent and other front corner portions extended inward from a +4 ee certain of said runs to form the tent front.

3. A tent comprising a flexible framework formed of a flexible member to be secured at one end to the ground and to extend upwardly therefrom to a place of support and under strain, a plurality of similar members secured at their lowerends to the ground and extendingupwardly in convergent relation to a point of connection with the first named member and put under tension by the straining of the said first number, said members togetheroutlining the tent with said first named member serving as a ridge pole for the tent and other of said members extending along the front edges of the side walls of the tent, and a fabric covering ex tending over said members with said first named member supporting the covering along a center line thereof to form the roof and side walls and end corner portions ex tended inwardly over said members at the forward edges of the side walls to form the end wall of thetent;

l. A tent including a supporting framework con'iprising a flexible member forming a run adapted to be anchored at one end to theground and to extend upwardly there from to an elevated support and under strain. a plurality of similar members forming other runs anchored at their lower ends to the ground and extending upwardly in convergent relation to a point of connection with the first named member and put under tension by the tensioning of said first mem her, said members together outlining the tent with the first named member serving as a ridge pole and the other of said members extending along the edges of the side walls of the tent; and a covering extending over and detachably secured to said frame-work with said frame member which forms the ridge pole, extending transversely of said QUINCY A. THOMAS. 

